Created by Amica Hunter
Produced by Amica Hunter | Bellingham, WA
Review by Mer Weinhold
60 mins / 14+ / Comedy, Clown, Solo, Physical Theatre, Storytelling, Standup
When I saw the posters for ANATOMICA, prominently featuring a person in a worm costume with little additional information, I immediately wanted to know more. That curiosity paid off by leading me to a fun, delightful play that features great clowning.
The first several minutes of the show are utterly baffling but hilarious, thanks to Amica Hunter’s excellent physical comedy skills. By the time some narrative structure began to come along I was laughing, relaxed, and ready for anything—which was fortunate, since Hunter jumped straight into a discussion of chronic pain, and from there into the question of which skeletal structure is best.
Scene from ANATOMICA. Photo by Jennifer Bennett.
Along the way they share numerous anatomy facts, a podcast recommendation, a hypothesis about Amelia Earhart’s disappearance, and practical tips on the best gloves to wear to bed to protect your bedsheets from your moisturized hands. The densely woven storytelling that jumps between anecdote, biological fact, and more physical performances made the hour fly by; I could have easily spent another hour there without realizing it.
This show also deserves accolades simply for the number of elaborate costumes involved, particularly for a one-person show. The worm costume featured on the posters is even more impressive in person, although my favourite by far was the crab. There’s also ample use of props, including some items passed around the audience to enhance the experience.
Scene from ANATOMICA. Photo by Jennifer Bennett.
Note that audience members in the front row may be called on to participate at the very start of the play, so come early enough to choose your seat appropriately – but do attend, if you can. It’s easy to see why ANATOMICA has sold out shows and won awards. By turns hilarious, thoughtful, relatable, entertaining, and sincere, this is a satisfying show on every possible level.
ANATOMICA: A Comedy About Meat, Bones, & The Skin You’re In is playing at La Nouvelle Scène, Studio B from June 13–22. Tickets are $14 plus service fees at the Fringe box office (3rd floor, Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue), and at the three satellite box offices (LabO in the Ottawa Art Gallery, Fringe Courtyard, 67 Nicholas St and La Nouvelle Scène). Five and ten Show Passes are also available. Visit the Ottawa Fringe Festival’s website for the show’s schedule and check out their online schedule here.
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